All issues > Volume 34(8); 1991

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1991;34(8):1123-1131. Published online August 31, 1991.

Clinical observation on juvenile theumatoid arthritis.

Sung Sub Shim¹, Chan Yung Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University, College of Medicine, Pusan, Korea

Received: February 12, 1991;  Accepted: April 15, 1991.

Abstract

The authors analyzed the clinical features, and the therapeutic responses in 29 patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who were diagnosed and followed at Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University Hospital from 1980. 1 to 1990. 6. The following results were obtained 1) Of the total 29 patients, 12cases (41.4%) were pauciarticular type II and 7cases (24.2%) were polyarticular RF(—) type. Seventeen cases (58.7%) were 8-11 yrs and male to female ratio was 1.2: 1. It was prevalent in summer (34.5%). 2) The symptoms and signs on admission were arthralgia (93.1%), fever (62.0%), and joint swelling (41.4%) and the following extraarticular manifestation; GI symptom (34.5%), hepatosplenomegaly (10.3%), rash (10.3%), lymphadenopathy (6.9%). The most frequently involved joints were the knees (79.3%), followed by ankles (65.5%). 3) Laboratory examination showed anemia (24.1%), leukocytosis (62.1%), increased ESR (55.2%), and ANA(+) (7.0%), RF(+) (13.8%). HLA B27 was examined in 5 cases of pauciarticular type II and positive in 2 cases (40.0%). 4) In radiologic finidngs, early changes were found in 10 cases (34.7%) and late changes in 4 cases (13.8%). 5) Patients were treated with salicylate and steroid (48.3%), and salicylate only (41.4%). According to ARA functional class, 7cases (24.1%) were included in Class I, and 2cases in Class IV before treatment and then 20 cases (69.0%) achieved complete functional capacity (Class 1) at follow up.

Keywords :Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis